BUT,WHY?

[Robert Ptacek]

I understand certain models have to go but I was shocked they discontinued the ceramic benchstones.They have been a mainstay in the line for decades.

[jwbnyc]

That was surprising.

[ImHereForTheMilitary2]

$$$

[ramblinwreck]

I ordered a medium and fine benchstone for $50 each shipped. Not bad.

[Wandering_About]

That one does sting a little. I don't use Spyderco's ceramic bench stones any more but the fine was the first real stone I ever bought.

[JD Spydo]

Unfortunately sales dictate most all business decisions. I'm grateful that I have 2 sets of the 302 Benchstones. If I had the cash at this time I would order another set. And there seemed to be a lot of interest on the forums in the past 3 to 4 years of people wanting to learn freehand sharpening skills.

I'm hoping that Spyderco does have something in the product pipeline that will replace the 302 Benchstone. I've always admired Spyderco's sharpening tools as much as I do their great cutlery lineup.

[kobold]

The medium was regarded as a one and done stone by many. And the UF as the best finishing stone out there.

[Guts]

I grabbed a Fine stone after the news to complete the set since I already had the Medium and UF. Pretty surprising. Spyderco's ceramics aren't like anything else I've tried.

[vivi]

Nothing but good things to say about their bench stones.

Makes me wonder what the replacement is?

Maybe nothing? Maybe so many folks have decided to use guided systems, free hand stones aren't selling like they did 20 years ago?

[Cl1ff]

I am also curious if a new abrasive will “replace” the ceramics for the finer grit benchstones?

I mostly use my CBN plate for sharpening, but the medium ceramic is also very useful.

The only things I would look for anymore is maybe some CBN stones and rods that bridge the two, but I still need to learn a lot about abrasives and sharpening.

For example, I’m not sure that finer CBN could actually be a replacement as I would assume it would still be pretty different from the ceramics?

[Manifestgtr]

Agreed, my ultra fine is a beautiful finishing stone…I’ll probably buy a couple more to hold myself over.

The reality is, there probably aren’t enough people like me…freehand sharpening is only a part of the market now. The sharpmaker almost certainly accounts for more sales, people use guided systems, etc. If it’s being discontinued, that means it hasn’t been profitable. The good news is that such items last a LONG TIME if properly maintained…mine will certainly outlive me and if any of my progeny are into knives, if nothing else, there will be a huge collection of things to pour over, use, appreciate, sell or throw away (as my body resembles a spinning rotisserie chicken in the grave). Such is the way of the world.

[jwbnyc]

That’s an image.

[Mage7]

Maybe with all the ultra carbide rich steels becoming more common they felt they needed to update their abrasives?

[Bemo]

Maybe with all the ultra carbide rich steels becoming more common they felt they needed to update their abrasives?

That is certainly possible. They have always taken great pride in the fact they got knives sharp before they began making knives.

Makes me wonder if some sort of hybrid ceramic/CBN bonded stone would be possible?

[Steeltoez83]

I always wondered why the medium and fine stones were never offered in 8x3 formats like the ultrafine is. I always wanted spyderco to make a tri hone with their ceramic stones. Or even a 4 sided stone that covered their 400 cbn and all 3 of their ceramic stones. Perhaps that's still a possibility for a future reveal.

[pleadnotguilty]

As I tell my children: because.

[kaukol]

I felt exactly the same way - 302 benchstones are the biggest surprise and saddest news in this year's list (and since k390 wharnies are also there, that's a lot). I already bought myself the fine stone I never had and spare medium because if I would ever break mine I just don't know how to live without it. :)